Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-28
THREE LINKS IN A CHAIN.

7
three in number, and each is vivid, sharply
defined and stands conspicuously out in
its setting of trivial or cXactiug cream
stance. Have they anything in common,
despite their seeming dissertation? | be-
gin 20 think 50. \ more dubious prob
lem: II there is indeed hidden secret
link between these events, Will the dis
cOyery thereof aid or hinder the realiza-
ton of my dearest hope> / have at pres
ent no answer 70 this question.
The first scene Imagination has con-
jured anew before me with all the exact
ness Of realism reveals the interior OF u
jewelers. shop in Renford, my native
town. 1t is n fine large business apart
ment, with its walls lined with cases dis
playing through their polished glass costly
articles of yirtu-for Mr.. Huntlcy mag
uiies his trade, and is a collector-and
rs counters spread with more cases, hold
ing in dainty nests gold and silver and
precious stones, fashioned in many forms
of use and ornament. Mr. iuntley' =
shopman is busy in the front roarranging
portion Of the stock; lis employer and
are discussing in the Office scmi-par-
tltioned off at the rear question of local
politics having no sort Of connection with
the present narrative. Ny father is vicar
Of Renford; and Mr.. Huntey, rs long as
! can recOllect, has been Wears church
warden-heuce the intimacy between us;
and although | have commenced the study
OF medicine, and look speedily to sever the
tie Of residence in the quiet western town,
! am still interested in local affairs Sud
denly, the shop doors-thcre are wisely
two-open one after the other-thc inner
one with a sharp little jerk that betokcns
NERVOUSNESS or haste on the part Of the
prospective customer. The austere young
man who is polishing an enamel brooch
deity replaces il, slides back the ease bot
tom with a subdUcd click. and waits in
an attitude Of deferential attention.
Standing at right angles To Mr.. Huntlcy's
desk, am facing the shop and the street,
and however injurious. am compelled to
see and hear what passes.
1t Is young girl-she may be -
she may be older--Who has entered, and
there is something about her that tiud
cUriously attr0ctiyc She is a stranger 80
ne, and therefore, perhaps observe more
particularly the slim, shapcly figure
fawnlike IN its timid Yet graceful move.
mcnts; the pretty piquant profile; HleclcM
complexion, with the pink spot, telling Of
excitement, in the center II the bcauti-
fully moulded check; the maynard golden
cur.s that defy the restraint Of the SIM
pie sun hat; and the dress OF soft creamy
White, which so admirably suits both its
owner and the pleasant summer weather.
Erect, energetic, with an evident sense Of
humiliation playing the foil to a touch Of
unconscious hauteur-the vision comes
back as l write.
"You wish TO see the principal, Miss,
Did l understand oorrcctly2'
NN II 81 .
the assistant calls his master, ana / left
with only tho occupation Of the onlOobcr.
From n small tlreadbarc rcticulc see
produced n bracelet a ring and one or two
other articles. which seemed To- have
formed part of fashionable ludy's Quit
OF icWcIry. The color has dccpened on
thc maidcL's face, aud ANA fuucyinc that
she IS a. once proud Of her possessions
and anxious Us 10 The result of her present
enterprise. r1e has reason for her anxiety,
OF which 10 is 'harittbie 40 believe she
suspects nothing. / wiz ~ bod To- say
tha. one cannot watch the changing
lights and shadows Of her couutcuurce
0hd think her the originator or Willul uc-
complice of fraud.
"Ihcsc-what can You give me for
these she asks in low quivcring voice.
"N'uu do buy cym~. Believe: these are
very valuable, 0' toli.' She does not
appear 10 have the Smallest appreciation
Of the fact that Respectable trudcsmau
will hardly make raudom offer for Jewels
that can bc thus described. without in
CURRY not only n TO the bona ndc, Of the
applicant, bat rs 10 the authority also for
she sale.
Bst chi, STAGE = never reached. Mr.
lIuntiel las taken up one hy one the
glram.ua ~atct a'l out by oue laid tacm
aside Nf.c. AZ i:-woiior which has lis
result IN Watp- hiW .hcuomcnaly
grave and chasing a stoyIh line actoss
his forehead. Have You rHE sGet. of TIC
worth of these articles. or Of cithcr--uny
one Of thcm?' ho lryly asked.
think both the ASST slant and ny self i'm
stnctyely prick up our ears. The girl
too, Is start led by hi, tose. Il have been
assured-rapa said it-that Tie stones in
the bracelet alone cost $50"
The glance with which She meets Mr.
liuntlcy's keen lool, Is rs opcn as the day,
and the expression ON the jewelers. face
turns To ono Of pits. Il could not give
you ~ many shillings, miss. The stones
nTc clever limitations, and that Is ALL
There Is not one genuine amongst those
you have shown me. Mr. SkirrOw, let
mc have Your opinion"
Tho assistant confirms the unflattcring
Judgment, ard does it with sncer that |
felt disposed, though with ~ valid reason,
TO resent.
The crimson tide has ebbcd. and tho
girls checks are blanchCd; her lips culver,
and at first no sound comes from them;
her eyes slowly I'll with tears | fear
that she may drop in a swoon, but this
woman'S weakness she docs not seem 10
share. There arc seconds Of intolcrablc
suspense for Us all. At last there is "A half
stiilcd cry: Jack! how could you
II Is plain that she accepts the stu
alton, and that her thoughts are even
now lDuSy with the solution of her dark
enigma. For the moment she has for
lLQffep her environment, and she muir
niurs ',cr vain protest against thc--to us
sul' pysyI ,Ulprii whose dupiiulty. hgw-
ever exercised las plunged her into an